yeaverily:

Portrait of Aurelian engraved on Amethyst, Rome, A.D. 260 - 280&nbsp;
&ldquo;A portrait of the Roman emperor Aurelian decorates this engraved gem, which was probably originally set in a ring. He appears in armor as a military man, with his hair and beard both short. A laurel wreath symbolizes victory. The high grade of the amethyst used and the skillful engraving of the image suggest that the imperial workshops created this gem. A gem like this was probably a gift from the emperor, a sign of imperial favor.The reign of the Roman emperor Aurelian was a brief moment of calm and regeneration in the troubled 200s A.D. A man of humble provincial origins, Aurelian ascended to the throne through a successful military career. By A.D. 270, when he became emperor, outside invasions and internal revolts had almost destroyed the Empire. During his short reign, he secured the empire&rsquo;s boundaries and stabilized the economy before being assassinated in A.D. 275.&rdquo;
-The Getty
